Day 2099: Lunch with Superman's Mom!

Superman's Grandmother, Fadha, old photo. collage & digital

Want music?

 

Click here for Israel KamaKawiwo'ole, Somewhere over the rainbow.

then click back on this blog tab or here to listen as you browse, or not?

I did! I had lunch on Tuesday with Superman's Mom!

Superman & his Mom, Hoda

A superhero in her own right & I'll tell you why!

A beautiful young girl, private school, and a privileged life.

Mike & Hoda

Love at first sight, for both ...

Hoda met and married the love of her life, 

Zuheir (Mike), also a super hero.

Zuheir (Mike), Tarek & Hoda

 

They started on their family ...

Hoda, Tarek & Bassel

and decided to immigrate to the US in 1977.

Hoda would need to go ahead as Mike needed to finish his job,

and would follow in two months.

 

Bassel, Hoda & Tarek

I ask you, can you imagine boarding a plane across the planet, 

with  6 year old Tarek & 3 year old Bassel and 

Hoda was 6 months along with son #3, 

for an 10 hour flight from Germany? 

Zuheir had accompanied his growing family 

on the first 6 hour fight from Abu-Dhabi to Germany.

Once landed in the US, Hoda had to find a home, 

furnish a home, all while pregnant, and she did. 

Give birth to Jimmy when Mike arrived. Superhero big time.

Later when times were tough she worked 2 jobs & sold Avon.

Family always came first,  Hoda is an devoted Mom.

Tarek, Mike, Bassel & Jimmy

An amazing family with a strong bond.

Legacy of a SuperMom and SuperWife.

Hoda and Mike will celebrate 50 years next year.

I learned so many great stories over a beautiful lunch today.

Did I mention she is a terrific cook?

I will share more of her family stories in the future. 

Please stay tuned.

A smile for Wednesday ...

Day 1516: A Bomb, Brunch and Bubble-man, Oh My!

"Trip Theme", I phone photo

Our last day in NYC!

and like the four days prior, it was packed full!

our hotel,  The Hilton Manhattan Mid-town

We checked out early & stored the luggage at the hotel.

We walked toward Central Park ...

The Sheep Meadow

determined to see as much of the 843 acre park as time allowed.

We saw a "Run for Life" Marathon in progress ... 

while on our own trip-walking-marathon.

We enjoyed a wonderful brunch at ...

Tavern on the Green, in beautiful Central Park.

The Ravine

We had four days of perfect 75 degree weather,

this was our first day with humidity & overcast & no rain.

The park features bands, dancers, artists, a "bubble man" ...

a "pigeon man", vendors, foods, bike rentals ...

"horse drawn cabs", rickshaw pedal cabs &
no cars, buses, taxi's,  scooters, motors!

Even a section for birds, free of humans!

This was a Mommy-Daughter trip provided by the daughters.
So blessed!

We have been best friends for 39 years.

We Moms feel very blessed, lucky & pampered!

There was a NYC bombing in Chelsea Saturday evening.

We were safely back in out hotel at the time, 

but we had been in Chelsea on Thursday.

Sunday morning these handsome men were outside out hotel. 

It is also UN week, so there was a larger police presence.

The girls look safe.

Time to start for JFK and eventually the OC ...

 Passenger view of various lines encountered in ...
leaving JKF Airport on Jet Blue flight 1013.

We left at 5:20 PM and were on our way...

I never tire of looking out a plane window ...

and checking the Jet Blue map to see where we are.

For over two hours we were chasing the sun. 

Finally landing at Long Beach Airport at 8:23 PM.

* I meant to keep this post shorter, but ...

we did so much in one day & I have 482 photos to go!

Fair warning!

A smile for Monday ...

Day 1515: MOMA, Soho and more, Oh My!

Close-up of Composition in Black, by Louise Nevelson,  I phone photo

We started our fourth day at MOMA ...

 

the gorgeous Museum of Modern Art,

just blocks from our Mid-Manhatten hotel.

Composition in Black, by Louise Nevelson

Many pictures were taken, these are just a few.

(stitchery on huge canvas for Libby Williamson & Jenny Doh)

Picasso

Chagall

There was so much more at MOMA, 

from there we caught a cab to SOHO.

This was our view from our table at Fennelli's for brunch ...

Chicken Wings, French Toast, Grilled Chicken Club Sandwich & Salad ... oh my!

Next was shopping in SOHO ...

lots of walking ...

Daughter2, a huge Prince fan, on Prince Street

and enjoying local architecture ...

and atmosphere.

There was a mid-afternoon sorbet & espresso stop

for needed stamina.

Later, dinner at Dos Caminos Mexican Restaurant in Soho ...

and a toast to the best trip ever.

 

(I know I look looped, but really just tired)

And would you believe a stop at the famous Magnolia Bakery
on the way back to our hotel ...

for a cheesecake, carrot cake, chocolate  & peanut butter squares.
Good thing we have been walking, right? 

. . . 

 We leave for the OC Sunday afternoon & ...

we have big plans before take off!

A smile for Sunday ...